27 school district employees are paid more than $80,000

With few exceptions, Cherokee County school administrators will see little change in their salaries this school year.

Superintendent Dr. Bill James is one of four administrators earning more than $100,000 during the 2009-2010 school year. James' salary remained at $137,704 in the $62.1 million school budget approved by the school board in June.

Assistant superintendent for instruction Dr. Linda Sellars earns $108,750 while Ewing Middle Principal Dr. Denise Wooten is the highest-paid principal with a salary of $100,277.

Wooten and Sellars are among many school employees whose salaries remain the same this year.

They are among 27 district staff earning more than $80,000 this school year.

Overall, 366 district employees are scheduled to make more than $50,000. A complete salary list is posted on The Gaffney Ledger Web site (www.gaffneyledger.com).

The salary information was released July 21 by the district in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by The Gaffney Ledger. The newspaper asked for a listing of all school employees projected to earn more than $50,000 this school year.

The State Legislature requires educators be paid on years of experience, the type of degree held and job responsibilities.

Teachers are given a state-required raise for additional years of experience. The state increase was given to teachers for up to 22 years of experience.

"When comparing the current listing to the prior listing that you requested on June 17, 2008, there will be some salary increases...," finance director Ben Childs wrote in his response. "Those changes are related to a variety of reasons, including a change in certification status, inclusion of the National Board Certification supplement and a change in position/contract days."

District administrators Andy Jones and Page McCraw are among the few employees whose salaries changed between 2008 and 2009. Jones is the assistant superintendent for administrative services. McCraw is director of high school education programs.

Jones saw his salary increase from $100,767 to $104,262 because of new supervisor duties with the maintenance department. McCraw will earn $91,818 in 2009, compared to $90,678 last year.

Personnel costs typically account for 85 to 90 percent of school district budgets. In Cherokee County, the district will spend $58.8 million on salaries and benefits in the $62.1 million school budget that went into effect July 1.

School principals are paid based on school enrollments, education level and years of experience.

Luther Vaughan Elementary Principal Dr. Ron Cope earns $95,334 while Gaffney Middle Principal Jean Brewington is paid $88,757.

Cherokee Technology Center Director Dr. Harold Talley will see his salary remain at $98,865. Gaffney High Principal Marlene Davis earns $93,042. Blacksburg High Principal Jim Touchberry's salary is $88,757.

Gaffney High athletic director and football coach Phil Strickland will be paid $91,069 while the salary of Blacksburg High football coach Mickey Moss is set at $75,191.

Citing recent state budget cuts, Cherokee County School Board Chairman Billy Blackwell said the school budget contained no employee raises unless required by the state.

"We wanted to make sure people could keep their jobs this year," Blackwell said. "We relied on employee attrition to help balance the budget. We couldn't afford to hire new people."
Cherokee County School District
Employees Who Are Projected to
Make Over $50,000 Per Year
Response to Gaffney Ledger
Freedom of Information Request
Dated July 13, 2009
Abernathy, Joanne B 59,871
Abrams, Linda B 54,801
Alexander, Debra W 59,871
Allison, Lori J 53,721
Allison, Mary M 53,721
Allison, Pamela S 51,582
Anderson, Terry D 56,461
Ash-Jones, Miriam E 59,871
Babcock, Darlene G 59,871
Bagnal, Joyce B 56,461
Bagwell, Kim J 79,575
Bagwell, Treasa 59,871
Ballard, Martha L 54,801
Beam, Sherri M 69,071
Beiers, Rhonda G 68,558
Bettis, Stephanie P 67,894
Biddix, Catherine 56,461
Birch, Shirley D 66,174
Black, Constance L 51,773
Blackwelder, DeBerry H 59,871
Blackwood, Martha L 79,575
Blair, Rhonda B 53,071
Blanton, Charles C 55,598
Blanton, Eric G 66,460
Blanton, Kathy R 51,582
Blanton, Kimberly L 59,871
Blanton, Patti G 50,799
Blanton, Robert W 58,367
Blanton, Shella P 51,582
Bloise, Cathy C 82,636
Bolin, Angela J 50,150
Bostic, Linda E 59,871
Bowman, Julia A 56,461
Bradley, Melody M 75,056
Bramlett, Craig 79,575
Bramlett, Jill S 56,461
Brandt, Nathan F 54,801
Brannon, Kathy B 59,279
Brasington, Angie M 50,150
Brasington, Linda F 51,582
Bratton, Eddie L 59,871
Breitenbach, Johnny L 55,349
Brewington, Jean B 88,757
Bridges, Diane L 56,967
Bridges, Teresa 59,871
Brown, Tammy H 52,746
Browning, Peggy F 56,461
Brumley, Lisa R 61,545
Burchstead, John H 76,308
Burgess, Joann B 54,045
Burrows, Virginia A 73,019
Byars, Cindy.M 67,371
Byars, Randall L 67,770
Byers, Ruby L 55,992
Cabading, Roland P 66,948
Cabaniss, Jerry W 51,582
Caggiano, Susan 56,461
Camp, Kimberly F 74,795
Camp, Kristie C 59,597
Camp, Laura B 58,939
Camp, Marc F 66,194
Campbell, Susan H 54,045
Carter, Lane C 66,174
Carter, Rita M 57,375
Cash, Laura S 59,871
Childs, Ben M 86,882
Clark, Pamela B 59,871
Clarkson, Lisa P 51,582
Clary, Ashley 66,038
Clary, David W 51,582
Clary, Rhonda H 59,871
Clearwater, Melissa P 59,279
Cleveland, Dorse 81,210
Cobb Jr, Michael A 50,149
Cobb, Jo C 70,523
Conley, James V 56,461
Cooke, Anna S 59,871
Cooper, Carol A 53,071
Cope, Barbara L 59,871
Cope, Ronald W 95,334
Copeland, Angela W 59,871
Crocker, Donna W 77,893
Daggerhart, Sherri B 59,871
Davis, Elizabeth H 64,763
Davis, Gloria L 56,461
Davis, Kelly 0 57,325
Davis, Marlene 93,042

Dixon, Roger 67,565
Dover, Dawn B 51,701
Duncan, Linda E 59,871
Dunn, Thomas A 51,773
Easier, Rita R 59,035
Edmonds, Sheila G 59,871
Elder, Kimberly C 65,414
Elliott, Donna 53,608
Elliott, Pamela S 51,773
Elliott, Thomas F 53,721
Estes, Kenneth F 52,770
Eubanks, Kimberly L 50,799
Fernandez, Ricky 51,071
Ford, Janice G 82,636
Foster, Julie A 52,781
Foster, Susan Z 56,461
Fowler, Lisa S 67,371
Fowler, Marvin C 72,960
France, Kimberly B 67,371
Friday, Judith 59,871
Fulton, Daniel 70,393
Gallman, Carol 67,371
Gallman, Cynthia D 59,273
Garrett, Sandra D 59,871
Gibbons, Sue B 59,871
Gibson, Susan Q 59,871
Glasgow, Carolyn R 67,371
Glass, Sharon E 59,871
Glenn, Margaret F 54,240
Godfrey, Corrie A 59,871
Goforth, Candice H 56,461
Goforth, Kathryn P 56,461
Goins, Tammy K 57,534
Gordon, Linda H 67,371
Grigg, Amanda U 52,097
Guthrie, Barbara P 56,967
Hammons, Claudia M 56,461
Hampton, Virgil D 85,842
Hamrick, Deborah A 58,792
Hannon, Lisa A 78,588
Hannon, Mary K 52,097
Hardin, Lori B 59,871
Hardin, Vanessa A 51,582
Harris, Jennifer 53,430
Harris, Nita E 67,057
Harvey, Kathy W 51,582
Hawkins, Danielle P 56,461
Haynes, Donald R 51,582
Heffner, Renee H 59,871
Henderson, Karen 54,729
Hicks, Cynthia P 56,461
Higginbotham, Darlene M 67,857
Hodge, Beverly P 54,403
Hollis, Angela M 59,871
Holmes, Andrew S 57,275
Holmes, Kenneth N 55,598
Holmes, Terry W 55,901
Hopping, Ricky E 56,461
Horton, Ginger E 55,349
Horton, Robin E 59,871
Howell, Betty A 59871
Howell, Donna H 52:456
Howington, Kenneth B 55,992
Hrivnak, Cheryl L 57,534
Hudson, Chad E 82,528
Hudson, Julie P 55,019
Huff, Mark E 66,904
Huffstetler, Jay 51,582
Huffstetler, Vicki P 59,871
Hughes, Pamela M 69,071
Hulsey, Mary Nan 61,946
Hunter, Luther E 56,461
Inman, Anne W 59,871
Ireton, Mary Elizabeth 56,103
Irvin, Larry E 65,661
Jackson, Johanna L 51,804
James Jr, William B 137,704
Jarvis, John 0 56,461
Jefferies, Anita E 51,582
Jefferies, Bobbie D 59,871
Jefferies, Sharon 0 66,387
Jenkins, Linda B 64,763
Johns, Courtney S 54,312
Jollay, Holly P 59,871
Jolliff, Elizabeth C 59,871
Jones, Daniel R 51,071
Jones, Karen F 56,461
Jones, Sherri W 52,097
Jones, William A 104,262
Kee-Lyerly, Rebecca A 59,871
Keller, Janice M 82,636
Kennedy, Kelley J 52,896
Kennington, Nancy E 56,461
Keff, Frieda L 56,461

Key, Charlene D 59,279
Kirby, Kathy P 67,151
Kiser, Terry 66,059
Kite, Terri P 50,714
Lail, Bobby M 67,089
Laughlin, James T 59,871
Lavender, Sharon B 50,150
Lawson, Etheleen D 59,871
Lee, Gail A 59,871
Lindemann, Noah S 50,799
Littlejohn, Janice M 59,871
Love, Renee C 51,582
Lovingood, Danette M 68,558
Manii, Cynthia J 56,461
Martin, Betb C 51,124
Martin, John T 54,240
Martin, Karen H 58,112
Martin, Laura L 55,992
Martin, Laura P 56,837
Martin, Laura T 59,279
Martin, Lynne L 59,871
Mayfield, Roger D 52,770
McClary, Audrey R 74,056
McConnell, Nancy J 58,694
McCraw, Lori 59,871
McCraw, Page B 91,818
McCraw, Rebecca H 70,536
McDaniel, Karen P 56,461
McDaniel, Mary S 72,729
McKee, Peggy J 55,349
McKeown, Buffy B 51,773
Means, LaTunya G 72,790
Melton, Michael D 91,818
Metts, Suzanne 51,124
Middleton, McIver A 56,461
Miller, Morris E 75,164
Miller, Travis C 50,799
Millwood, Deborah 59,871
Millwood, Gayla 50,508
Moore, Donna S 57,692
Moore, Frederick B 50,211
Moss, Amanda E 55,432
Moss, Brenda H 57,534
Moss, Carol M 59,871
Moss, Catherine B 51,582
Moss, Jeannie B 59,871
Moss, Michael E 75,191
Mulwee, Kathy P 59,871
Murray, Beth M 51,124
Nance, Melanie N 51,124
Nix, Holly P 58,624
Norris, Francis M 83,015
Off, Laura C 58,112
Owens, Sarah S 76,515
Owens, Thomas W 56,461
Padgett, Deborah M 56,461
Padgett, Lynda L 51,582
Painter, Amanda S 58,443
Parker, Cathy B 59,871
Parker, Deborah M 51,582
Parker, Ruth H 69,083
Parker, William T 75,331
Parris, Ellen S 51,582
Parris, Lori N 51,773
Patterson, Malinda C 82,636
Patterson, Roger L 59,871
Peeler, Connie W 59,871
Peeler, Donna 58,916
Peery, Cassandra P 52,746
Perry, Mary 0 51,773
Petty, Jane K 62,404
Phillips, Beth H 58,112
Phillips, Deborah S 59,871
Phillips, Debra C 54,256
Phillips, Donna S 53,623
Phillips, Joy H 56,967
Phillips, Katherine E 79,575
Phillips, Monica L 55,864
Phillips, Randy 52,097
Phillips, Shelley S 51,124
Phillips, Teresa S 59,871
Phillips, Timothy E 51,700
Porter, Donna G 59,871
Porter, Kelly S 59,871
Powers, Barrett J 52,097
Price, Mary R 51,582
Pridmore, Betty D 59,871
Raines, Libia V 50,149
Randolph, Dee T 59,871
Reams, David L 51,582
Redish, Carlotta 89,523
Rice, Rebecca K 51,582
Ridlehoover, Frank 56,461
Roark, David Y 55,019

Robbs, Malisa R 54,045
Roberts, Tanya R 51,124
Robinson, Trad 82,313
Robison, Paulette A 56,461
Rose, Elizabeth B 56,461
Ross, Frances C 56,461
Ross, Linda C 51,773
Rowe, Amanda R 59,871
Ruppe, Jeffrey A 70,259
Ruppe, Nanette A 82,636
Sanders, Darryl 55,901
Sanders, Jane M 67,371
Sarratt, Carye Q 50,799
Sarratt, Danny L 52,374
Sarratt, Kathleen J 68,558
Sarratt, Kelli S 61,621
Scates, Virginia R 65,612
Schaffer, Michelle D 50,799
Schultz, Dana B 66,461
Schultz, Tracy R 51,773
Scruggs, Darla C 51,773
Scruggs-Bowen, Rebecca L 52,456
Sealy, Shirley B 86,920
Segina, Jennifer J 54,045
Segner, Cheryl H 59,871
Sellars, Linda C 108,750
Sharts, Brenda R 82,636
Shaw, Martha B 59,871
Shealy, Susan H 58,112
Shehan, Kiri D 58,624
Showen A, Steven K 56,461
Shull, Cindy C 59,871
Simpson, Sandra H 56,461
Skinner, Chanay T 50,714
Smith, Bonnie B 55,901
Smith, Carrie A 56,461
Smith, David 58,792
Smith, Hope H 51,582
Smith, LaVeme 51,582
Smith, Melody 76,274
Smith, Robbin M 59,871
Smith, Tony M 64,577
Smoke, Stacey T 57,413
Sparks, Tina M 50,150
Spearman, Kaye H 76,515
Spurlin, Lynn R 52,746
Starnes, Mary B 59,871
Stepp, Jodi A 50,714
Steward, Charles E 52,770
Story, Sharon L 59,871
Strickland, Phillip A 91,069
Stuard, Terry L 65,730
Switzer, Pamela A 63,961
Talley, Harold G 98,865
Thomas, Libby 59,871
Thomas, Sandra G 56,967
Thompson, Herman E 86,737
Thompson, Sharon P 55,992
Tomkins, Lisa C 55,992
Tomlinson, Victoria G 61,571
Touchberry Jr, Hubert 88,757
Touchberry, Christy M 59,871
Transou, Candace P 50,150
Transou, William C 72,281
Turner, Carol B 52,097
Varner, Rebecca C 51,582
Vassey, Al C 56,461
Vassey, Barbara J 59,189
Verrier, Virginia J 59,871
Wallace, Isaac 56,552
Wallace, Linda W 56,461
Ward, Beverly S 58,112
Waters, Jan W 73,674
Way, Karen B 55,901
Westmoreland, Bessie D 63,507
Whelchel, Faye B 59,871
Whitt, Pamela 54,801
Wilkins, Chandra G 56,461
Wilkins, Lynn N 59,871
Wilson, Susan B 55,992
Winkler, Cheryl H 61,887
Wood, Julie M 51,773
Wood, Marsha E 56,461
Woodlief, Sandra L 59,871
Wooten, Denise 100,277
Wray, Lorraine S 68,558
Wright, Christina M 61,621
Wright, Janis M 56,461
Wright, Judy A 58,694
Wright, Tommy R 56,461
Yehl, Michael 77,373